Fifty Cents 2001 Centenary of Federation - New South Wales, Coin from Australia - detailed information

The obverse shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.

In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 2001.

The reverse design features the New South Wales Coat of Arms (granted by King Edward VII in 1906), representing one of 9 states and territories that make up Australia.

This Coat of Arms comprises of a shield featuring the State badge which is blazoned with the cross of St George and four eight pointed stars representing the Southern Cross together with the lion of England. Each corner depicts golden fleece and sheaves of wheat symbolising agriculture. The shield is supported by a lion and a kangaroo. Above the shield, a rising sun crest represents the newly rising country and rests on a wreath. The Latin motto Orta recens quam pura nites ("Newly risen how brightly you shine") is depicted in a banner below, supporting the kangaroo and lion.

Flanking the Coat of Arms are the dates 1901 and 2001. Around above, CENTENARY OF FEDERATION. Below the Coat of Arms, NEW SOUTH WALES. Around below, the denomination and value FIFTY CENTS.

Mintage figure includes:
2,000,000 circulation coins dated 2001, minted in the 2000/2001 financial year (ending 30 June)
1,042,000 circulation coins dated 2001, minted 2001/2002
36,685 brilliant uncirculated coins in sets, minted 2000/2001
1,948 brilliant uncirculated coins in sets, minted 2001/2002
18,366 proofs, minted 2000/2001
4,557 proofs, minted 2001/2002

Sources of original information:

Royal Australian Mint, Annual Report 2000 - 2001 (2001), pp 53, 55. Retrieved from https://www.ramint.gov.au/annual-reports (PDF)
Royal Australian Mint, Annual Report 2001 - 2002 (2002), pp 53-56. Retrieved from https://www.ramint.gov.au/annual-reports (PDF)